How did you spend your Earth Day this year? Yes, I would love to hear in the comments section below.

My husband and I hiked across Hot Springs and North Mountains in Host Springs National Park. Each breath that filled our lungs as we climbed higher on the trails was gift of oxygen provided by the surrounding Forest.

Earth Day is celebrated everyday in our home by:
recycling more,
driving less,
walking more often,
bringing reusable bags when we shop,
turning off the water while we brush our teeth,
eating vegan,
cooking less,
using metal water bottles and more.

Do we try to shrink our carbon footprint each year, yes! Do we always get it right… no! Baby Steps 🙂

Happy Earth Day Everyday!
Lee

PS: If you lost a lovely calico cat in Hot Springs Arkansas please see the photographs in this blog. She needs to be with her people not roaming the park. The pictures indicate she is likely new to being feral as her coat and eyes are not dull. She was last seen on the Rocks near the Hot Water Cascade above the Arlington Lawn.

Clouds do not abate as I head out for my hike into a cool spring breeze traveling across the park. In the overcast morning light the beautiful Wildflowers seem to ignite the landscape as I hike up Hot springs Mountain. The vibrant pink of Wild Roses on the Tufa Terrace lead me to the glorious Blue of Asiatic Dayflowers on the carriage Road. Like lanterns lighting my way Woodland Sunflowers glow again the lush green tendrils caressing the edges of the Dead Chief Trail. As I climb higher soon yellow gives way to the purple of Smooth Petunias and Small Skullcaps. On the Short Cut Trail Spring has sent out vines to caress the Rock features. Bushes once covered with red Berries have sprouted delicate tiny white and yellow Flowers.

On the Hot Springs Mountain Trail pale yellow wildflowers dot the rise leading to the Pagoda. A male and female Cardinal are moving through the Trees and Grass seeking a morning feast. The trail ahead has a pink glow from the bright blooms of Ouachita Blazing Stars covering both sides of the path. Further along a sweet Carolina Chickadee sings a beckoning song to the morning light trying to pierce the clouds. For a brief moment sunlight breaks free to reveal beautiful Carolina Larkspur on slender stems between the trunks of Short Leaf Pine Trees. As I near the trail head patches of Fungi begin to decorate the path.

On the Gulpha Gorge Trail yellow Lance Leaf Coreopsis lead me to the now blooming storm battered blush color Goat’s Rue. I glance up to see the now fading Ouachita Blazing Stars have been replaced with the yellow and orange blooms of the Prickly Pear Cactus (Lesson learned doing plant research for this blog… the Prickly Pear Cactus is native to Arkansas! I had no clue.). As I turn to leave a Brown Butterfly kisses my cheek and lands in the dried autumn leaves at my feet. I take a moment to pause and say a silent prayer of thanks.

When I reach the Goat Rock Trail I wonder which wildflowers it will reveal to me this morning. Bright yellow Lance Leaf Coreopsis and St. Johns Wort lead me past Goat Rock heading up the trail. The Clouds are separating in patches exposing the brilliant Hot Springs blue sky. Looking down to right I see an unusual Wildflower, it is square white with yellow banana like protrusion. My research later reveals its name, Horse Nettle. In the distance I see what appears to be the glow of torches. As I draw near I am delighted to see tall radiant orange Butterfly Weed glowing in the light of now brightening skies.

As I round the bend of the final rise along the Goat Rock Trail a lovely hiking partner appears. On many occasions along this trail I have had the blessing of being lead by many different winged friends, but none as small as the one hopping a few feet a head of me. My usual hiking companions on the trail have been Robins, Crows or Mourning Doves. To have a tiny Black and White Warbler leading the way, not flying off at my close foot fall has never happened prior to this moment. Five minutes along she flies up to the side of a nearby tree and I take a final photograph before she moves back across the trail and deeper into the Forest.

Turning to follow her path I see a wonderful Wildflower climbing up the branches of a small Tree. This unusual vine has lovely bell shaped purple blossoms that appear to bust forth into feathery tendrils. I am intrigued by the variety of beautiful transitions this Wildflower attains. Special Thanks to Gerry Williamson @USWildflowers http://USWildflowers.com for assisting me with the identification of Leather Vasevine – Clematis viorna. Also a thank you to the sweet Black and White Warbler for leading me to its location.

I decide to begin my return home via the North Mountain Loop to see which Wildflowers are blooming on the roadside. It is a visual feast of Sunflowers, Black-Eye Susans and Daisy Fleabane with the occasional patch of Ouachita Blazing Stars. It is as if Nature threw a hand full seeds at the hillside to created a wonderful tapestry of color. I spot a lovely patch of Pink Clover Flowers and for a moment I am five years old in the field next to my childhood home in Oregon. Near the bottom of the loop I spot another patch of Prickly Pear Cactus with large yellow and orange blossoms. I am still amazed that Cactus could be native to Arkansas.

As I leave the park another wonderful gift from Nature awaits me on the Arlington Lawn. Pecking in the Grass is a lovely Juvenile Brown Thrasher. I can’t wait to hear it’s repertoire of the park and city sounds as it matures. The last one I saw in the park could imitate all the neighboring birds, a GameBoy and several different cell phone ring tones.

When you see the world through Nature’s eyes you will find peace in your heart.

Below a clear bluish violet morning sky it is 58 degrees with a light breeze as I enter Lake Catherine State Park. The park glows in the early light as I stand on the balcony of the visitors center looking out over the lake. I pause to watch the glossy black birds flying back and forth across the lake from the nesting boxes atop a high pole.

I drive over to the trail head and begin my hike on the Horseshoe Mountain Trail. The first thing I notice is the trail has been cleaned up a bit since my last hike here in January 2011. Last winter I could barely see the trail as the Autumn leaves were several inches deep from the winter wind. The beginning of my hike along the Horseshoe Trail is a series of gentle inclines in a Short Leaf pine Forest. Soon the landscape changes and a large Rock formation appears on my right. The dirt trail now is a series of well-worn boulders heading higher into the park. Glorious yellow Lance-Leaf Coreopsis are growing in patches among the Rocks, drops of sunlight in the spring Forest. A Pine Warbler peeks at me from the branch of a Pine Tree while higher up a Male Blue Grosbeak looks out across the park.

The higher I climb Pines begin to give way to a mixed forest and greater numbers of wildflowers. Twistflowers in pink and magenta cast a lovely pink glow over the top of lovely green undergrowth. Accents of Purple Small Skull Caps and Clasping Venus Looking Glass, Blue Carolina Larkspur plus yellow Lance-Leaf Coreopsis create a colorful feast for the eyes. The tall growth waves gently in the morning breeze and Forest has the appearance of taking rhythmic breaths. I cannot express the beauty of each step along the trail and can only hope my photographs will be an ample expression.

As I proceed up the second climb on the trail bright pink Ouachita Shooting Stars appear in greater numbers. At the top a lovely garden of Wildflowers is revealed in the rocky loose soil. Ouachita Blazing Stars, Clasping Venus Looking Glass and Twistflowers create a glorious Butterfly haven. Vibrant orange and Large Black Swallowtail Butterflies move from flower to flower surfing on a perfect spring breeze.

Soon the trail is winding down the Mountain and rounding the next bend I have a clear view of the lake below. On this perfect day I am surprised there are no boats out on the Lake. Further along the trail more Ouachita Blazing Stars sprinkled across the left side of the trail, on the right lovely blush and yellow Goat’s Rue are just beginning to bloom. As I hike down the Mountain the mixed Forest gives way to Tall Pines stretching up toward the sky and glimpse of the lake appears between their large trunks.

At the bottom I look across a small cove, on the opposite shore I spot the silhouettes of two familiar large birds sitting in the shade. Turtles are lined up along partially submerged logs catching the warmth of the spring sun. A beautiful garden of green is growing on log near the shore. Soon I reach a chain suspension bridge that likely would have water below it when the lake levels are higher. When I leave the trail to reach the Lake front I can see my to photographic subjects are still resting in the grass.

A pair of Canada Geese and Mallards Ducks are sitting at the edge of the Lake and I approach slowly, 15 minutes later all four get up and swim out into the Lake. The Mallard pair swim into the cove and tuck their heads under their wings to float and sleep. The Canada Geese paddle out into Lake and swim cautiously past a Fisherman standing on the bank.

Back on the trail it isn’t long before I spot a Squirrel foraging in the Forest and climbing Trees. It is always a delight watching Squirrel agility, their amazing skill at leaping from Tree to Tree. When I reach the Trail Head I glance once more back into the wonderful Forest where I spent my morning.

Find time to get out and let Nature wrap you in her arms.
Love to ALL!
Lee

PS Special Thanks to K J Garrett for settling the debate of Canada Geese vs Canadian Geese… although the Internet has many articles debating this issue here a Hike Our Planet we tip our hat in deference to KJ.